And it’s only a couple of weeks to our discussion! Get that reading done, and let us know if you’re coming.

Finally, remember to take it easy. This is not an easy end-of-the-year year. My to-do list today includes watching caroling preschoolers in the library. A local CDC teacher brings her class every year. The repetoire is unchanging, and includes an enactment of The Twelve Days of Christmas that involves hands flapping from raised derrieres for "Three French Hens" and a Hula/Macarena hybrid for "Nine Ladies Dancing." It makes my day, once a year, and this year I’m banking on it.

Nina Lindsay is the Children's Services Coordinator at the Oakland Public Library, CA. She chaired the 2008 Newbery Committee, and served on the 2004 and 1998 committees. You can reach her at ninalindsay@gmail.com

About Heavy Medal

Jonathan Hunt is the County Schools Librarian at the San Diego County Office of Education. He served on the 2006 Newbery committee, and has also judged the Printz Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards, and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. You can reach him at hunt_yellow@yahoo.com

Nina Lindsay is the Children's Services Coordinator at the Oakland Public Library, CA. She chaired the 2008 Newbery Committee, and served on the 2004 and 1998 committees. You can reach her at ninalindsay@gmail.com

Join us from September to January as we discuss all things Newbery: the history and purpose of the award, terms and criteria, possible contenders, and results of Mock Newbery discussions--including yours?